The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43671

Lisa Calvocoressi¹, Stanislav V Kasl¹, Carol H. Lee², Marilyn Stolar, MA³, Elizabeth B. Claus, MD, PhD¹, Lisa Schlenk, BA³, and Beth A. Jones, PhD, MPH⁴. (1) Epidemiology & Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 60 College Street, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, (2) Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, (3) Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 40 Temple Street, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, (4) Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, 60 College Street, PO Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, 203-785-2890, Lisa.Calvocoressi@yale.edu

In March 1997, following several months of highly publicized controversy, the American Cancer Society (ACS) changed its recommendation for mammography screening of women ages 40-49 from once every 1-2 years to once a year. We examined the potential influence of this change on the mammography screening beliefs and behavior of 1,229 women, ages 40 -79, who obtained an “index” screening exam between October, 1996 and August, 1998. Respondents provided information on beliefs about the appropriate mammography screening interval for women their age, during a telephone interview, approximately one month after the “index” exam. A follow-up interview conducted, on average, 29 months later, collected information on subsequent screenings. Among 40-49 year olds interviewed through March, 1997, 48.5% endorsed annual screening; beginning in April, 1997 (the month after the guidelines change was announced), 65.2% endorsed this screening practice (p=.0012). This increased belief in annual screening among women 40-49 was sustained for the duration of the baseline data collection period (i.e., through August, 1998). No comparable increase in a belief in annual screening among women 50 and over was evident during the same time period. However, notwithstanding an increase in the belief in annual screening among 40-49 year old women, no concomitant increase in annual screening behavior for those interviewed after the guidelines change was observed over the subsequent 26 months. Although causal inferences must be made with caution, these data suggest that women’s beliefs about appropriate screening practices may be substantially influenced by recommendations conveyed through the lay press.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants should be able to

• describe changes that have occurred in mammography screening guidelines for women a) 40-49 and b) 50 and over from 1996 to the present; and
• identify potential effects of the changes in guidelines on women’s beliefs about how often they should be screened and on their mammography screening behavior.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.